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Pain and stiffness in your shoulder caused by rotator cuff dysfunction can limit your ability to lift, reach, and even sleep comfortably. Whether your pain is due to injury, overuse, or degeneration, rotator cuff issues can interfere with your daily life.
At Hughes Health, our specialized approach helps decrease rotator cuff pain, restore movement, reduce inflammation, and improve overall shoulder health without surgery or down-time. Schedule a consultation today with one of our expert sports chiropractic physicians at Hughes Health and take your first step toward relief!
About Rotator Cuff Pain
& Anatomy That Contributes
The rotator cuff is a crucial group of four muscles and their associated tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and allow for a full range of motion. These muscles include:
• Supraspinatus: Helps lift the arm and stabilize the shoulder joint.
• Infraspinatus: Aids in external rotation of the shoulder.
• Teres Minor: Assists with external rotation and shoulder stability.
• Subscapularis: Controls internal rotation and provides overall support to the shoulder.
These muscles work together to maintain shoulder function and prevent dislocations. When they become irritated, inflamed, or torn, it can lead to persistent shoulder pain, weakness, and restricted movement. Many people assume rotator cuff pain only affects athletes or those who lift heavy objects, but it can develop from repetitive movements, poor posture, or even age-related degeneration. Addressing the specific muscles involved is essential for effective, long-term relief.
Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Pain
Understanding Why It Happens
Rotator cuff injuries can develop from a variety of factors, including:
• Repetitive Overuse: Activities requiring frequent overhead motion, such as throwing, painting, or lifting, can strain the rotator cuff.
• Poor Posture & Shoulder Mechanics: Rounded shoulders and improper movement patterns can create excess tension and wear on the rotator cuff.
• Trauma or Injury: A sudden fall, impact, or lifting something too heavy can result in a rotator cuff tear.
• Age-Related Degeneration: As we age, the tendons of the rotator cuff naturally weaken, making them more susceptible to injury.
• Muscle Imbalances: Weakness or tightness in surrounding muscles can alter shoulder mechanics and place excessive strain on the rotator cuff.
Common Conditions Related to Rotator Cuff Pain
Rotator cuff issues are often linked to other conditions, including:
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A narrowing of the space in the shoulder joint that pinches the rotator cuff tendons.
Tendonitis & Bursitis: Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons or the bursa (fluid-filled sacs) in the shoulder can cause pain and stiffness.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): A condition that leads to severe stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint.
Labral Tears: Damage to the cartilage in the shoulder joint can contribute to instability and pain.
Cervical Spine Issues: Nerve irritation in the neck can refer pain into the shoulder, mimicking rotator cuff dysfunction.
Treatments for Rotator Cuff Pain
Find Relief Once & For All
Before we are able to treat your rotator cuff pain at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your shoulder pain is affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.
In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using chiropractic, orthopedic, and functional movement testing. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free without unnecessary medications or surgery.
Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Adjustments
At Hughes Health, we believe true recovery goes beyond spinal adjustments and manipulation. While we are chiropractors, we don’t just focus on your joints. We take a whole-body approach through Sports Rehabilitation to target the muscles and tissues that support you. Your body is more than just bones and joints, and your care should reflect that. By addressing movement, strength, and stability, we help you heal faster, stay active, and prevent future injuries so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations.
PiezoWave Focused Shockwave Therapy: Break Through Stubborn Pain
For chronic rotator cuff pain, PiezoWave Shockwave Therapy uses focused and targeted sound waves to:
Break up scar tissue and adhesions
Increase blood flow for faster healing
Stimulate natural tissue repair—without surgery or downtime
Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out
Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:
Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation—no discomfort, just relief
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep
At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.
Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Fire Cupping: Using heated cups to create a suction effect on the skin helps increase blood flow to relieve muscle tightness and reduce pain. This warming effect has been shown to be more effective than the dry suction counterpart.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.
Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury
Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs help you:
Strengthen muscles and improve mobility
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain
Get back to doing what you love with confidence
The Right Care, Every Time
At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in advanced chiropractic care and personalized treatment plans, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time—just the right care for the best results.
Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!
Why Choose
Hughes Health?
We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.